Impact of MGNREGA on Quality of Life of MGNREGA Beneficiaries in Punjab

The present study was conducted to assess the impact of MGNREGA on quality of life of rural poor in Punjab. The 11 districts of Punjab were selected from 3 socio-cultural by using probability proportionate to sampling size procedure. A total of 396 respondents were selected randomly who worked under MGNREGA from last five years. Before-after assessment based on recall method by assessment of quality of life of beneficiaries was used to assess the impact on quality of life. It was observed that in Malwa region, maximum change was observed in household possession aspect ( x̅=2.74, Rank 1st). Improvement in sanitary conditions obtained x̅=1.13 and Rank 2nd as significant change in conditions of kitchen, toilets, cleanliness was reported. As far as housing conditions were concerned the beneficiaries reported same improvement ( x̅=1.09, Rank 3rd) by way of moving from mud house to cemented house with cemented floors and walls or adding rooms etc. As far as impact of MGNREGA in the Majha region was concerned maximum impact was observed with respect to material possession having obtained ( x̅=2.66, Rank 1st). As far as food conditions were concerned, beneficiaries reportedly improvement in food consumption pattern ( x̅=0.88, Rank 2nd). Least impact was observed in the area of education with ( x̅=-0.49, Rank 8th). In Doaba region of Punjab, maximum improvement was found in acquiring material possessions ( x̅=2.79, Rank1st) followed by housing condition ( x̅=1.08, Rank 2nd) and consuming quality food ( x̅=0.90, Rank 3rd). MGNREGA had significant impact on housing conditions, household possessions, food consumption and sanitary conditions of beneficiaries (p=0.05). Though the socio-economic conditions of households have improved gradually, but to hasten the pace of improvement some developmental initiatives can be integrated with the scheme mainly targeting those households who are working regularly under the scheme.